Dude, what is up with this????!!!!!!

 Okay, for the second week in a row I am finding assorted bees staggering around my apartment.  I have never before had a problem with bees in the house, and I know, they are looking for a warm place to hang, but dude, how are they getting in?????  I do not like bees.  I like honey.  I like flowers.  I do not like bees.  Especially not in my apartment, crawling around on the floor where I am about to step!!!!!  Last summer it was ants.  Now it's bees.  I need a new apartment *sigh*

Sigh

Hey, I just discovered the Compose mode.  Well, how do you like that.  How long have I been doing this :-)

Anyway, I am currently slacking on the project front.  I went shopping and purchased a nice sock yarn for my pal and some nifty cotton for myself.  It's actually not for me because I plan to use it for Christmas gifts for others.  I plan to turn it into a soap sack, face cloth and something else trio that I found a pattern for.  Of course, I don't know where the pattern is (I hope it's not in some book I found in the bookstore and didn't purchase) but I will look for it later.  I'm listening to podcasts, Pointy Sticks to be exact.  Saving Cast-On for later.
Well, now that I have figured out how to post links, here is the link to Sarah's Yarns that I tried to post last time.

I'm feeling a little discombobulated.  It was my first day at my new store and I spent the day working the counter, thus none of my plans for the day could be implemented or even considered.  I wanted to reset the floor, get some new products started, check employee files, get my email transfered and up and running.  Alas, I spent the day asking "whole or sliced" and cutting up bread *sigh*  Tomorrow I am an extra body, so I should be able to set my plans in motion.  New products, more products, files, attendance sheets........  Plus I will be on time.  I have two alarm clocks (I don't sleep that heavy, I just don't want to get up) and both had issues this morning.  The first one I forgot to adjust for daylight savings, so it went off at 3am instead of 4am.  The second one I adjusted the time on, but it was set to snooze for some reason and it never went off.  I don't understand this clock.  So instead of arriving for my first day of work on time, relaxed, breakfasted and with a nice cup of tea in hand, I arrived harried, hungry, and 30 minutes late.  
Fortunately I don't have to sign in yet :-)

Back to projects.
I am still working on the red scarf for my sister-in-law.  I haven't touched the red aran sweater for me.  I haven't finished middle sisters gloves.  I haven't started big brothers scarf, or purchased yarn for it (I think he gets red, just like his wife).
I feel the clock ticking away, like some portent of doom, marking the hours until Christmas eve when I look up to find that I don't have presents for most of my faimily and have to rush out to Borders before they close to buy gift cards (again)......... although........ the Home Depot cards did seem to be pretty popular last year...........
On the project plus side, the shawl is for Mom and it's safely zip-loc'd away, as is baby brothers scarf.  I have decided to use my new silk/wool blend to make Cozy from Knitty (fall '04) for myself.

I think this needs a picture, so I present scenes from the Seattle public library.

I got way cool Treats!!!

My wonderful package just arrived from my pal in Germany! I love it, love it, love it. She sent mohair yarn which I will use to make a yummy scarf for myself.
There's Weleda oils in great frangrances. oooooh and the chocolates. Absolutely divine! White chocolate shells surrounding strawberry cream chocolate filling. The bag had more than in the picture but I opened the package while driving to a friends house and she and her husband decided they had to open the chocolates for me :-) And the advent calandar, can't wait until December to try my teas. It's going to be a long wait, but good things come to those who wait. She also enclosed a wonderful card describing my treats and an adorable scarf pattern. And she's not a secret anymore sooooooo thank you Sabine! You rock!

New Yarn!

Let me just take a moment to sing the praises of Sarah's Yarns. I ordered some in a bit of a fit of spending frenzy (though I controlled myself and bought only one cone) and it just arrived!!!!! I had forgotten I had purchased the ruby red and was suprised to open the box and find red and not purple (must be old age, and the fact that I kept changing the color). Now, I was impressed by the prices (which I think are pretty reasonable) and the speedy delivery (gotta love ups) but most of all by the inclusion of sample cards for the yarns!!! She charges for them on the site, but she sent the whole shebang!! I had issues with the colors displayed on the computer. Some of them were so pale, I couldn't really decide if I liked them or not. Having samples of the yarn in my hot little hands is wonderful! I thank the goddess of podcasts, Brenda Dayne for mentioning her.
I also want to thank my secret pal! She sent me the most wonderful e-card. I liked it so much I sent one to my spoilee. She said she is sending my first package. I am veeeeeery excited about that!
Will post pics later of the yarn and the scarf.

Yippieeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Done, done, done, done, done!!!!! Not too shabby for my first lace project ever, hmmmmm?!? I feel very proud of myself. I can see the mistakes (and yes, I did straighten the blocking), but I think that means I should keep it instead of giving it away :-)
lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it!
I even love the fact that I am sleeping on the sofa because my bed is covered with pins and my room smells like wet wool :-)





And here's the picture of the postcard from my pal! It looks like such beautiful place. Just up my vacation alley, history and beauty in one package. Ahhhhh.......

Postcards from Bavaria!

My pal sent me a postcard from her vacation! I was so suprised and tickled to receive it. I stuck it in my purse and promptly forgot it was there, then opened my purse and it made me smile all over again. I'll scan it and post it when I can find the wires to my scanner :-) Thank you so much! You brightened my day.
((Hugs))

Oooooooh, contest!

Okay, here are my answers to the questions on Shelby's blog!

List your favorite:

Actor -Denzel Washington (talent and eyecandy, yum!) or Cary Grant *sigh*
Actress - Ingrid Bergman
Animal - Cats, I love my kitty
Band - Incubus
Book - Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series
Bubble Bath - EO Lavender or Lemon Verbena shower gel
Candy - Strawberry Twizzlers
Color - deep blue.....or ruby red.......or purple
Drink- Sage Margarita (If you haven't had one, try it, you'll thank me)
Flower - Sunflowers, or roses
Food - Curries (Thai, Jamaican, whatever, just gimmie curry!)
Lip Balm - Aubrey's organic
Lotion - Origin's Ginger body Souffle, smooth and creamy and the smell is divine!
Movie - A Few Dollars More (gotta love Clint!)
Place- New Orleans
Song - Thoughtless by Korn for when I feel like the world done did me wrong, Audrey by Dave Brubeck for when I need to chill, Hangin' on the Telephone by Blondie for when I need to not chill
TV Show - CSI
Yarn- I don't think I have a favorite, I like em all. I do like the feel and the movement of the Debbie Bliss Silk/Alpaca blend I bought, but anything you put alpaca in I will find extremely drool-worthy
Vacation Spot - London, it's all about the architecture, the gardens, the history, wow

no knitting today

so far no new project in the works. I took a shot at starting SIL's scarf, but I need to work it better, came out way too wide and I am not sure how I want to do it. Gonna try to get rid of some of my stash. *sigh*
Plan to shop tomorrow to send my first treat to my secret pal. Very excited.

Ravenclaw???!!!

more questions!

Found these on Shelby's site. Thought I would give them a whirl.

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?
In the living room, on the couch in front of the tv.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?
I would paint, but I would have to take some classes first :-)

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?
I would love to go to Asia, especially Japan. I have a fantasy about touring the Nintendo hq.

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?
I wanted to be a doctor, or a paramedic. Nope, I am a baker.

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate, chocolate with brownies, chocolate with caramel, chocolate with fudge, chocolate with..... are we seeing a pattern here?

I've created a monster.....

....only in a good way. My mom, who had been moaning about crocheting, computers, knitting and basically showing signs of extreme boredom, is now on her third cap for Caps to the Capital. She is way excited about it. I'm loving it. Even if I am slacking and haven't made anything yet :-)

one down!

finally done with J's scarf. simple, but i think he will like it. next up, sister-in-law's scarf and finishing the shawl. Just one more skein for the shawl and I will be done. Just need to complete 2 more pattern repeats and the border, then blocking and voila! Done!

there's good, and there's not so good.....

Finished G's socks! Yea!!!!!! Didn't take pictures. Booooooo! Oh well, I finished them in the middle of the bakery team leader meeting and gave them to her during the appreciations section. She loved them. I called them promotion socks. They were actually "thanks for being my friend, congratulations on 7 years clean and sober, congrats on the promotion, and you are such a sweetie" socks. I went with her to her anniversary meeting and she suprised me by asking me to give her her 7 year medallion. Now, I have never been to a meeting before so I wasn't sure what to expect, besides lots of people going up and sharing their addiction stories. It was quite heart rending, and funny, and a little inspiring. It's amazing to hear what people can do to themselves and how they can overcome it and be stronger for the experience. I was honored to be there, and so proud of her. She cried during her talk. I almost cried too.

Other news, I feel like crap today. Actually it was earlier today, I feel better now and almost want to go out of the house. I think I will leave the house, in search of the skein of yarn I need to finish my shawl. Also, I think it will be warmer in the car than it is in my apartment. The heater keeps blowing out my surge protector so I have to keep it on low, and the building hasn't turned on the heat yet, though they have had the plumbers/heating unit repair dudes out. They should be coming by to bleed the radiators soon. One of the drawbacks of this lovely old building. According to my sound machine, it's 67.5 degrees in here. Have I mentioned I don't like cold and to me that is cold?

Well, I do have to leave today in search of food. I don't have any and I need some to feed my symptoms (maybe a slight cold, maybe i just need to take my allergy meds). I think a nice chicken stew (maybe some coq au vin) would be nice. Mmmmmm, and I have a nice loaf of ciabatta that would go perfectly with it.

Memories of a warmer time. Courtyard of Place d'Armes hotel in New Orleans, LA July 2006. 90 degrees in the shade. Bliss.

Hey, I'm a flower! and one I have never heard of at that.

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

Now for the bread part!

Just occurred to me there is no bread in bread and circulars, just circulars news so here is some bread for a change of pace.

Wahhhhhhh!!!!

I can't get my button to work. I think I'll go to work now *sigh*
I did get my heel right though (yea!!!). I made it up my own variation on a short row heel. Looks good though. Will photograph when I finish it.

dye-ing for change

I am applying for a new postition at a new store. I took a good look in the mirror at my locs and decided that it was time to go for more color, less grey, so now I am a brunette! I do this periodically. There's a nice natural hair dye at the store that I like to use, made from vegetable extracts and amomonia free.


I also am about 1/2 done with baby brothers scarf. I went into a yarn shop and looked for a nice soft yarn in a neutral color other than black. All he wears is black. Mom suggested he needed a bright color, I wanted something he would wear. His wife will probably steal it from him, but hopefully he will get to wear it and if she "borrows" it, I will feel it is a complement, she's very picky. It's 100% Baby Alpaca Chunky in a soft, sorta pearly grey. Love it. I would keep it myself. Need to find a nice something for big bro Greg next. I have a yarn for his wife, a beautiful ruby red silk and something soft. Did I mention these already? Oh, well.
Anyway, after watching the news today, and getting another parking ticket, I needed to veg and knit today. Tomorrow it's an on the road day. Gotta start with probably a trip to silver spring, a meeting at what will hopefully be my new store, and then on to the places I am scheduled to visit tomorrow. It's going to be a very long day. I think I'll reward myself with a nice trip to the yarn store while I am there :-)

What Kind of Muppet am I?

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick. You're always willing to lend a helping hand. In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going. "15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

secret pal 9 questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I am a very tactile person, I like anything soft (alpaca, silk, blends, mohair, soft wooly stuff). Don't like scratchy. Don't really like eyelash (too fuzzy) or acrylics (I admit it, I'm a yarn snob).

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I use a small plastic storage container for notions (like that word), crochet hooks and small circulars, a tall tin can for the needles that won't fit in my needle holder, and a "circular solution" hangable holder (which is currently overflowing so I need something else, but can't figure out what).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I picked up my first needles in probably 1988? At about the same time I took a class at a lys. I have been knitting off and on (mostly off) since then. Have become much more dilligent in the last 4 years.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I am terrified of the words advanced and intermediate. I call myself an advanced beginner because there is so much I have to learn. I have made socks, scarves (I made my first scarf last year), mittens, gloves, working on a lace shawl and on a sweater with 6 (yes, 6) stitch patterns 4 of which are cables (and I wonder why I keep putting it down, sheesh!)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Um, no.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) hmmmmmm........I love gardenias, lavender, and any of the Archipelago candle scents (especially their bergamot scents, yummm).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes!!! Favorite candies are those little pseudo-strawberry thingys with the jelly filling that come wrapped in the strawberry printed wrappers, butterscotch hard candies, and any good chocolate (especially truffles).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? Right now none. I have tried beads (made some nice earrings and bracelets for folks) and may return to that. I would like to learn to spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play mp3s. I love most music, not a real big country fan. I like rock, r&b, classical, jazz (the old stuff mostly, of the new I hate Kenny G). I guess there is a category of coffee house? I like that.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love red, blue, purple. I like jewel tones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am single, no kids, one cat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I don't wear ponchos, but I love scarves, hats, mittens, shawls, head scarves (no cotton 'cause it dries out my hair) are a must for me (gotta keep the locs tamed :-) Currently trying to figure out how to make a 40's style hair restraint of some kind. Bought some black silk and looking for patterns.


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I don't really have one. Right now I like making big, fluffy socks for wandering around the house, but I also love sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now? Meadow Flowers Shawl from Knitter's Stash, gloves from the OneSkein book, broken rib scarf, socks, the sweater I have been working on off and on for the last 2+ years (there's a picture somewhere in the past posts), and a 2nd scarf from the vogue bulky hats and scarves book.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love 'em, but very rarely get them *sniffle, sniffle*

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circs (dpns for small stuff) and I usually use bamboo.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, winder is on my mental wish-list.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 2 and a half years *sigh* My plan is to finish it by spring.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, I think.

19. Is there anything that you collect? I love teapots, I have 8 right now.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any magazine subscriptions, although I am thinking of subscribing to Interweave. And right now the only books I am drooling over are Arctic Lace and Knitting Nature. I have been eyeing the Denise needles and I would love to have more Addie Turbos (insert Brenda Dayne's turbo sound here). Baby Alpaca in any guage or bold color is really high on my list of drool-worthy items.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I do want to learn more about lace.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes, I am newly addicted to socks. I will admit I am scared of size 1 needles and the fine yarn (do I have the patience????) so I do big and fuzzy.
Foot measurements? 10 inches long (stop laughing, I know I have big feet :-) and 10 inches around the instep.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) April 21st. Taureans rule!!!!!